zenaphex — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 13:39:41 +0000

I agree with davidjaymz that these types of sites have a design that do become repetitive not just in game clan sites but in many other types of sites as well. What I had in mind is to try and create a main splash page (some wallpaper type of graphic entry) that contains some context and areas to navigate (different parts of the splash graphic can be navigational). Think of your site as if it was a game and you're entering a main menu with some cool background graphic. Make it so that it isn't boring for people who play games from graphical/navigational perspectives. The structure you have it in now looks as if it were a MUD game.

Miker also brought up the thing on style and I couldn't agree more. The idea I mentioned above sets style. And colors was mentioned as well which is important in balancing within your site. A style like I mentioned should give you some more colors to work with.

A teammate — Mon, 27 Sep 2004 07:55:24 +0000

thx for the hlep:D

miker — Fri, 24 Sep 2004 19:51:58 +0000

If you don't think it looks good, why are you still staring at it? What I mean is, put it in the "maybe" pile, and start a whole new idea.

Someone mentioned color -- this concept could really use some. Don't go overboard, but add something. Also, you're contrast isn't enough. If you're going to use grays as a base, fine, but try to make the contrast more appealing or more noticeable. The relationship between "figure and ground" -- read up on the basics: http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/gestalt/figround.htm

The one thing this layout lacks is a sense of style. Style is a difficult thing to relate in a few words, but great designs rely on it. Style is the result of good organization, and good oraganization is essentially what great design is--at its' core. Define a style, or mood...and you're half way there.

Or just rip-off someone elses.

davidjaymz — Thu, 23 Sep 2004 14:36:05 +0000

I think the thing is with these sorts of sites they intimatly point themselves towards box layouts. now there's nothing wrong with box layouts. hell i use em too... its just the ones i've seen for this sort of site always end up black and grey.

Megan offered a good idea... check out CSS Zen Garden... Its a killer site and although some of thier designs/idea would not work for your layout there's a few that may give you some ideas.

/the_lost_collection/
Utilizes "box" layout but with lots more colour and an obvious "theme"

/zengarden/sample.css
Another simple "box" layout... this one with more standards colours and look

Hope some of this helps...

Megan — Thu, 23 Sep 2004 13:23:58 +0000

Start by introducing some more vibrant colours. Also work on your header area. What a lot of sites do is use a photo of some sort for the header in a really successful way. You could just get a nice photo to put there and blow it up in an interesting way with your logo text on there. You could use your photo to choose colours for other parts of the design.

Then think about how you can get away from the boxy layout. This is a little more challenging. It helps a lot to look around at other sites, especially the CSS Zen Garden.

davidjaymz — Thu, 23 Sep 2004 10:49:06 +0000

I'm sorry to say... no... like i said it looks like everyone elses... there's nothing new there.

A teammate — Thu, 23 Sep 2004 10:11:57 +0000

But i cant think about anything else now... but do you like it?

davidjaymz — Thu, 23 Sep 2004 09:53:35 +0000

hmmmm... Every single one of these i see looks exactly the same. Grey and Black Boxes...

Why not try and break the mold? do something totally different...